Palau is a very small island. It is pretty affordable, with exception to how difficult it was to get there from the United States and the cost of diving there. The traditional bat is pretty terrible. The dives are average. That's all.
Saturday, October 12, 2019
October 13th, 2019 Palau Ranking
Palau is a very small island. It is pretty affordable, with exception to how difficult it was to get there from the United States and the cost of diving there. The traditional bat is pretty terrible. The dives are average. That's all.
October 13th, 2019 Financials
The total expense on this trip was 1113.39 USD, mostly on flights of course. Palau was not easy to get to out of all places and required many frequent flyer miles.
September 6th, 2019 Koror, Palau to Taiwan, to Shanghai, China
11AM The hostel owners were only give me a ride before 11AM. I took the offer as I didn't find it appealing to stay.
4PM I played Lara Croft until 4PM. We started boarding for Taiwan at 5PM. I stayed at the Premium Lounge for a while until it was finally time to board the 1.5 hour flight to Shanghai.
4PM I played Lara Croft until 4PM. We started boarding for Taiwan at 5PM. I stayed at the Premium Lounge for a while until it was finally time to board the 1.5 hour flight to Shanghai.
September 5th, 2019 Koror, Palau
8AM I was picked by Paula, who is a German diving instructor. She has been here for just under a year and is leading dives.
10AM I had to pay here and an extra 50 USD for the diving permit. The dives were unimpressive drift dives and we finished around 4PM. I was able to get by without swim trunks as I was able to take off wet suit discreetly in the bathroom.
4PM I had a bat to try and it was gross. I am sure no one would enjoy that and I am almost certain that I wouldn't have it again.
8PM I went to bed. My dorm room was again empty.
10AM I had to pay here and an extra 50 USD for the diving permit. The dives were unimpressive drift dives and we finished around 4PM. I was able to get by without swim trunks as I was able to take off wet suit discreetly in the bathroom.
4PM I had a bat to try and it was gross. I am sure no one would enjoy that and I am almost certain that I wouldn't have it again.
ROC Embassy in a mall
September 4th, 2019 From Taipei to Koror, Palau
6AM We arrived at Taipei. I took a shower at the Premium Lounge and I had breakfast and lunch there. I stayed at the lounge until 1:30PM, 15 minutes before my flight to Palau started boarding.
6PM I arrived at Koror. It looked like taxis would cost around 20 USD. I spoke to the travel office. They called the Dream House for me and the van came back to pick me up.
7PM The price that showed initially was wrong. It was actually 57.6 USD instead of 30 USD. I went to bed around 11PM.
6PM I arrived at Koror. It looked like taxis would cost around 20 USD. I spoke to the travel office. They called the Dream House for me and the van came back to pick me up.
7PM The price that showed initially was wrong. It was actually 57.6 USD instead of 30 USD. I went to bed around 11PM.
September 3rd, 2019 From San Francisco to Koror, Palau
10AM I went to both the Yankee Pier and Giants Clubhouse, and finally the KLM lounge for the entire afternoon before I went to my gate A3, which was only 3 minutes walking away. The flight left at 1:40AM. I sat in the exit isle.
October 12th, 2019 Central Asia
Afghanistan is certainly one of the worst countries to visit. The Pakistanis are rather friendly to the Chinese.
October 12th, 2019 Financials
This trip ended up costing 2232.79 USD. This brings my total cost up to 49,357.05 USD. It was certainly much more expected, largely due to the repeated costs of purchasing flight tickets, fees.
Friday, October 11, 2019
August 6th, 2019 Islamabad, Pakistan to Los Angeles
7:30AM I couldn't get Uber to work so I booked a Careem motorbike to Wah Garden. It took nearly an hour to get there. The driver was decent.
11AM Wah Gardens was horrible and costed 500 PKR. We then headed to Taxila Museum, which also costs 500 PKR. I opted out of that for the ruins. There were three, the first was at Sirkap. We then headed toward Jaulian and spent 20 minutes there. Apparently the 500 PKR I spent didn't really work here but some locals helped me out by talking to security. We spent just 10 minutes on the last ruin because the driver's boss literally called 32 times because she wanted to use the motorbike.
2PM We finally stopped at the museum just to check whether the ticket I purchased worked there. It worked on another ruin but the museum needed its own admission ticket.
3PM We returned to F11. I picked up my glasses and then went over to the apartment. I then took a shower and took an Uber taxi to the Islamabad International Airport.
4:30PM My Uber driver was horrible at driving and wanted to take me to parking instead of dropping me off. I was like, that is ludicrous.
5:30PM I got my boarding pass and sat in the lounge until 8PM and our plane left for PEK at 8:30PM.
9PM I stayed at the lounge until the flight left for LAX. I arrived next day at 6PM and took an Uber at 7:22PM from the airport to the AirBNB at the 330 N Croft Ave location.
11AM Wah Gardens was horrible and costed 500 PKR. We then headed to Taxila Museum, which also costs 500 PKR. I opted out of that for the ruins. There were three, the first was at Sirkap. We then headed toward Jaulian and spent 20 minutes there. Apparently the 500 PKR I spent didn't really work here but some locals helped me out by talking to security. We spent just 10 minutes on the last ruin because the driver's boss literally called 32 times because she wanted to use the motorbike.
Wah Garden
2PM We finally stopped at the museum just to check whether the ticket I purchased worked there. It worked on another ruin but the museum needed its own admission ticket.
3PM We returned to F11. I picked up my glasses and then went over to the apartment. I then took a shower and took an Uber taxi to the Islamabad International Airport.
4:30PM My Uber driver was horrible at driving and wanted to take me to parking instead of dropping me off. I was like, that is ludicrous.
5:30PM I got my boarding pass and sat in the lounge until 8PM and our plane left for PEK at 8:30PM.
9PM I stayed at the lounge until the flight left for LAX. I arrived next day at 6PM and took an Uber at 7:22PM from the airport to the AirBNB at the 330 N Croft Ave location.
August 5th, 2019 Peshawar, Pakistan
8AM I then went toward Masjid Mahabat Khan, which was small and under some type of slow renovation.
9AM An old man offered me some breakfast. I then headed toward Bala Hisar Fort. This was closed due to army's presence. It has been know for 10 years! I wonder why no one mentioned this online. The Jamrud Fort also has army presence so it was not open either. I took a Careem motorbike toward Islamia College. However, they weren't allowing any foreigners entering either. I walked with a student around the perimeter of campus. He failed too to lead me in. However, he did get 50 PKR mango shake for me (student pricing) and then got me a Careem motorbike to Nisar charsi tikka shish mahel. The man there said that they don't sell quantities of meat less than 1 pound and they opened at 2PM. I moved on to look for Namak Mandi Restaurant. On the way there, some shoe maker kids stopped me. The owner's son who is taking over the shop bought me some orange juice and invited me to stay. He said he and some teen number of kids can 200 handmade shoes a day. The shoes sell for 500 PKR and so they each pocket at least 5000 each person. It is repetitive work and harsh conditions with 50 degree heat in the summer. I left after 45 minutes and went to look for Namak Mandi. It turns out that I found the area rather than the actual restaurant first. I walked by Nisar charsi tikka shish mahel again, who now agreed to selling me 0.5 kg of tikka. I waited for 30 minutes and paid 750 PKR plus 50 PKR for tip. It was not nearly as good as the lamb in Afghanistan. I left a little disappointed and took a Careem motorbike to Fort Continental Hotel. I gathered my luggage and took a Careem taxi to Daewoo Bus Terminal.
3:15PM I purchased a ticket to Islamabad for 680 PKR. The bus left on time.
6PM I arrived at Islamabad. It was the same Daewoo Bus Terminal from which we left on the other day. Next, I took an Uber to the hostel. It was actually much nicer than I expected. It was nicely designed and the apartment turned into hostel is relatively new. It was located in E11. I also think my expectations have lowered tremendously since I have been in Afghanistan and Pakistan in the last few days.
8PM The man who was working there is gay and is fond of America. I took a shower and went to explore the coffee places all concentrated in F11 district. I purchased a butter nut latte for 495 PKR.
10PM I returned to the apartment. I spoke to this young Chinese student who elaborated forever on his experiences. It was very annoying. I went to bed as soon as I got a chance. This reminds me not to go on forever boasting on my experiences.
August 4th, 2019 Lahore, Pakistan
9AM I woke pretty late today and took off since the manager said that I could keep my stuff in room for as long as I wanted. My first destination was Chacha feeka lassi peray wali. The location is again mislabeled on Google. The lassi looked good but a little dirty with him making it with his dirty hands. It was also so hot that any ice in there melted quickly.
11AM I then went through Dehli Gate to get to the Wazir Khan Hammam, which was not impressive. I noticed that they were charging foreign prices here as listed. I then headed to Minar-e-Pakistan. All the sites had the same entrance and that was the first to come up in view. It was not a ruin site so I headed to Lahore Fort immediately. The forts in Jaipur and Jodhpur were much more grand and impressive. Sheesh Mahal was inside as well. Again, I moved on quickly.
2PM I then headed to Badshahi Mosque. It would be much better had they let more water in in their pools. Everything was dry. At this point, I took an Uber motorbike to the Lahore Museum. This was alright but lacked AC also.
5PM I headed to Shalimar Bagh, which was quite aways. I was so tired at this point. However, I still managed to finish. I then took another motorbike to Bhaiya Kabab, which was mediocre.
7PM Finally, I had some kulfi at Benazir Kulfa for 60 PKR. I borrowed a hotspot connection from some motorbike driver sitting on the street. He happened to be matched with me right away and took me back to Express Hotel.
10PM I took an Uber taxi to the Daewoo Bus Terminal. I then purchased the night bus to Peshawar.
Wazir Khan Hammam
On the way to the walled city of Lahore
11AM I then went through Dehli Gate to get to the Wazir Khan Hammam, which was not impressive. I noticed that they were charging foreign prices here as listed. I then headed to Minar-e-Pakistan. All the sites had the same entrance and that was the first to come up in view. It was not a ruin site so I headed to Lahore Fort immediately. The forts in Jaipur and Jodhpur were much more grand and impressive. Sheesh Mahal was inside as well. Again, I moved on quickly.
5PM I headed to Shalimar Bagh, which was quite aways. I was so tired at this point. However, I still managed to finish. I then took another motorbike to Bhaiya Kabab, which was mediocre.
Shalimar Bagh
7PM Finally, I had some kulfi at Benazir Kulfa for 60 PKR. I borrowed a hotspot connection from some motorbike driver sitting on the street. He happened to be matched with me right away and took me back to Express Hotel.
10PM I took an Uber taxi to the Daewoo Bus Terminal. I then purchased the night bus to Peshawar.
August 3rd, 2019 Out of Kabul, Afghanistan to Lahore, Pakistan
4AM I woke already and then checked out the main branch of Azizi Bank at 6:45AM. They weren't open yet so I returned at 7:45AM. I confirmed the location of the Azizi Bank ATM that Ahmad Mubariz gave me with them. It checked out.
8:15AM I took a calculated risk by going to the bank first. It went well as I was able to get my ATM card back in just a minute. I borrowed someone's phone to call officer Unger and he told me to call him in an hour at 9:30AM. I took another taxi to the airport where I found the Interpol on the second floor of the domestic side of the airport.
9AM I spoke to Arian's boss at the Interpol, who stated that he was going to send over the passport to the NCB and it would be sorted out there.
10:30AM I got to the Ministry of Interior through much security again. It as layers after layers of one person isle pathways to the center. I finally got right in front of the head of NCB. I then talked to his boss, who confirmed that they will relinquish the passport to the US representative.
11AM The representative finally showed up to rescue. He took it away to punch holes onto the profile picture page. I had my passport back, albeit now invalid. I was taken to an armed vehicle and the representative facilitated the whole process to get me out of Afghanistan. He even called to make sure there would be a seat on the 12:40PM flight for me.
12:15PM We arrived at the airport. I had to pay big bucks, 375 USD, for this flight. I had no better choice. The Interpol guys were still trying to get me into trouble but the representative called them off for me.
1:30PM My 12:40PM flight was delayed. We took off just around 2PM. I opted to go to Lahore first as I felt it was a more important location.
3PM An Afghani let me ride in his taxi to the bus terminal and we bought a ticket for Lahore. The ride actually took much longer and we arrived at 9:30PM. I took an Uber to Al Noor Hotel, which happened to be mislabeled on Google. It ended up being a street restaurant. I found a close hotel and haggled down to 19 USD or 3000 PKR.
8:15AM I took a calculated risk by going to the bank first. It went well as I was able to get my ATM card back in just a minute. I borrowed someone's phone to call officer Unger and he told me to call him in an hour at 9:30AM. I took another taxi to the airport where I found the Interpol on the second floor of the domestic side of the airport.
9AM I spoke to Arian's boss at the Interpol, who stated that he was going to send over the passport to the NCB and it would be sorted out there.
10:30AM I got to the Ministry of Interior through much security again. It as layers after layers of one person isle pathways to the center. I finally got right in front of the head of NCB. I then talked to his boss, who confirmed that they will relinquish the passport to the US representative.
11AM The representative finally showed up to rescue. He took it away to punch holes onto the profile picture page. I had my passport back, albeit now invalid. I was taken to an armed vehicle and the representative facilitated the whole process to get me out of Afghanistan. He even called to make sure there would be a seat on the 12:40PM flight for me.
Armored vehicle
12:15PM We arrived at the airport. I had to pay big bucks, 375 USD, for this flight. I had no better choice. The Interpol guys were still trying to get me into trouble but the representative called them off for me.
1:30PM My 12:40PM flight was delayed. We took off just around 2PM. I opted to go to Lahore first as I felt it was a more important location.
3PM An Afghani let me ride in his taxi to the bus terminal and we bought a ticket for Lahore. The ride actually took much longer and we arrived at 9:30PM. I took an Uber to Al Noor Hotel, which happened to be mislabeled on Google. It ended up being a street restaurant. I found a close hotel and haggled down to 19 USD or 3000 PKR.
Street near Al Noor Hotel
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